Big Ange

You’re a f*cking dinner lady who now thinks she’s Jose Mourinho. Why would speaking to you help?

In a forgotten town stitched together with broken bus shelters and fading murals of past glory, one woman wants to change everything. A teenage football squad charges through a world of projected noise - collapsing housing estates, Instagram hearts fluttering like confetti, graffiti glowing like prophecy. This is England, but skewed - off-balance, spinning.

Blue jeans, a whistle, and a Neil Diamond playlist - Big Ange, the dinner lady has got this.

＂It’s worth it. All of it. No matter what you or the high and mighty think. You think it’s hate. It’s not. It’s wanting summat better for the bairn. You lot march for justice - I’m ready to bleed for it.＂

Olivier award-winning Jamie Eastlake’s brand new play explores growing up in a fractured political world. With footy (obvs).

This edition was published to coincide with the production at Live Theatre in November 2025.

Jamie Eastlake was brought up in the small seaside town of Blyth in the North East of England. He is an Olivier award-winning theatre producer, director, writer and actor. He won his first Olivier award in 2019 with Flesh & Blood, produced at Soho Theatre London. He has continued to produce and direct regional theatre in the North East since. As the Artistic Director of Laurels, Jamie aims to provide a space for local artists to tread the boards in the North East.